Update: Works stopped after section of Citadel outer-ditch wall collapses

Update with statement below by the Ministry for Gozo and the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government: All works have been ordered to be suspended by the Planning Authority at a site abutting the Citadel Ditch in Victoria, Gozo, following the collapse of a retaining wall earlier this morning.

The PA, in a statement said that the collapsed wall has left a breach in the outer wall of the Scheduled Grade 1 Citadel Ditch.

Last month, Wirt Ghawdex, argued that “commercial interests are encroaching on the newly Cittadella Ditch, in plans to convert a historic town house into a boutique hotel.”

It noted that Planning Authority has approved as part of the permit, the opening of a door and two windows on the back wall of the property which abuts the Cittadella Ditch.

The Planning Authority has today said that it has appointed Perit Herman Bonnici to supervise any works that are necessary to ensure that the site is restored to its original state.

The Authority said that it will also be pursuing with a letter to prosecute for damage incurred to this World Heritage site.

The ongoing works at the site where the wall collapsed are covered by planning permission PA4553/17.

The Authority said that the site, which lies within a historical area of archaeological importance of Victoria and the Citadel, is in close proximity to Class B scheduled archaeological remains and has a historical and architectural value.

A magisterial inquiry is also ongoing.

Government statement

The Ministry for Gozo and the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government, in a joint statement regarding the collapse of the wall into the Citadel ditch, said that all necessary precautions have been taken and the affected area is closed to the public. Nobody was injured in the incident.

They said that the authorities concerned were notified immediately to take all necessary action, including from the preliminary report, steps being taken against those responsible for the damage caused.

2 Responses

The Planning Authority has today said that it has appointed Perit Herman Bonnici to supervise any works that are necessary to ensure that the site is restored to its original state. Which would mean that the wall will have the same thickness as it originally had a thickness that now is not needed because it is not defending anyone from attacks? Yet would the appointed Perit opt for a bigger room than for an ‘original state’?